Undergraduate Admissions and Application
About
Welcome to the University of Maryland Landscape Architecture!
Are you interested in a vision of a sustainable and resilient future for natural and cultural landscapes? We are!
Landscape Architecture is an open enrollment program. The courses and credit hours that define the curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) are described in the next section. The curriculum includes required courses for the major as well as additional general education program requirements and electives. Following the successful Studio Placement Benchmark Review, students must have an overall average of a "C" (2.0) to be eligible for the BLA degree. Students must also have grades of "C-" or better in all required courses with the LARC designation. For more information, please view the Landscape Architecture (LARC) section listing on the Undergraduate Catalog.
Career Paths
Interested in seeing some of the many career paths Landscape Architecture has to offer? Click the links below to learn more!
Tour UMD
Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture. For a tour of the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, please fill out a webform below. We look forward to your visit!
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Contact April Brohawn (FutureAGNR@umd.edu), Assistant to the Dean for Recruitment, for an appointment to learn about how to join the AGNR family! Also, check out the AGNR Prospective Students page for useful resources including information on financial aid and scholarships.
University of Maryland Tours. Don’t forget to schedule a campus tour!
Webform Schedule a campus tour Visit with the College of AGNR
Curious to learn more about the student experience?
Browse through our pages to experience what it is like to be one of our students.
High School Students
Freshman Admission
The program's goal is to have the greater proportion of program majors admitted as freshmen. All entering freshmen will gain admission to the Landscape Architecture program directly from high school, as space permits. Early application is encouraged to ensure the best possible chance for admission.
Here are some resources that you may find helpful as you plan your enrollment!
Application Request: The application process can be found on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
Transfer Students
Transfer Admissions
Admission of transfer students is limited by space considerations. Students presenting an acceptable graphic portfolio, evaluated by the landscape architecture faculty, may be exempted from selected courses. Landscape architecture faculty will evaluate all other LARC-equivalent courses transferred from another institution. We encourage you to review major requirements in the course catalog and view sample four year plans.
UMD Transfers (Admissions from other majors within campus): If you are a current UMD student planning to transfer from another major on campus please contact us directly. We would like to meet with you directly and discuss the process to switch to our major. You will also be required to attend a Change Your Major Workshop.
Transfer Admissions from other institutions: Admission of transfer students is encouraged. Many community colleges provide courses that can be transferred to the landscape architecture program. Students presenting an acceptable graphic portfolio, evaluated by the landscape architecture faculty, may be exempted from selected first year courses. Landscape architecture faculty will evaluate all other LARC-equivalent courses transferred from another institution.
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All students wishing to pursue landscape architecture and are planning on transferring need to apply to the university first. We highly encourage you apply by the Fall Admission Priority Application Deadline. This allows us to review you earlier in an attempt to help you transfer into our program earlier. If you will be applying, please also be aware of our Studio Placement Benchmark review as this is a separate process. You can check the main Admissions page for admission requirements, applying, financial aid information, and more!
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Schedule a meeting with the Pre-Transfer Advising office as they have useful information about how coursework applies to a UMD degree including general education and major requirements.
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A very useful tool for Transfer Students is the Transfer Credit Services website. There you will find the Database of Transfer Credit Evaluations which allows you to see what courses the University of Maryland accepts from schools across the country. More information can be found on the Transfer Course Evaluation Process, including how to submit a course for evaluation.
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Another useful practice for Transfer Students is to become familiar with the General Program Requirements for Undergraduate Students.
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2+3 Year Pathway (2-years Associates + 3 years for the BLA)
Please keep in mind that if you are transferring to UMD with a 2-year degree (or from another 4-year institution) it will take an additional 3 years to complete the degree program, if accepted to the studio cohort.
Who should apply? Community college students with an interest in design are encouraged to apply to our Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program. Your design classes may qualify you to advance more quickly through our program. We encourage all students with college level credit in design courses to contact us right away to explore the possibility of matriculating into our 4-year accredited program. The earlier you contact us the sooner we are able to provide you with information tailored to your specific educational background.
Examples of 2-year programs in Maryland:
*Please see UMD's Transfer Course Database for most up-to-date information as some equivalencies may require to be reviewed again upon admission to UMD. Since we require MATH113 or higher, you may consider exploring if this course or a higher level Math course is offered at your institution and if it is accepted at UMD.
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Examples Programs and Accepted Courses* |
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Anne Arundel Community College |
Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, and Landscape Design
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Chesapeake College |
Landscape Architecture, Landscape Management, and Engineering Technology
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Montgomery College |
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Community College of Baltimore County
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If you have any additional questions, please e-mail Diana Cortez.
International Students
We hope you will join us in protecting and restoring sensitive and critical environments, and creating socially equitable, ecologically sustainable, and economically viable landscapes.
The University of Maryland, ranked #60 globally, is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international student community. Graduates from our top 10 ranked program come from around the world including India, China, Iran, Australia, Korea, Central America, South America, Africa and Europe. The office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) is a valuable resource of information and assistance for prospective and current international students. International applicants are encouraged to explore the services they offer, and contact them with related questions.
STEM Program (30.3301-Sustainability Studies)
This program has been recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics as a STEM Program under the category of 30.3301- Sustainability Studies. International students graduating from our program are eligible for up to 3 years of Optional Practical Training (OPT). More information about the benefits of STEM designation can be found here.
Check out our Resources tab for further information regarding your admissions to UMD and other provided services.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
First-time Freshmen, International and Transfer Students
Please find below some of the commonly asked questions. If you have any additional questions or need clarifying on some issues please contact us as dcortez@umd.edu.
All Prospective Students
What will I learn to do?
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You will learn how to beautify urban areas, create sustainable landscapes and even how to deal with some of the current issues such as water and land issues. You will learn how to work with architecture, engineering, art and the sciences in order to create tomorrow’s landscape architecture. Learn to change the world through outdoor spaces.
When should I take my first class in the Landscape Architecture curriculum?
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As soon as you are accepted into the University of Maryland! Please contact us so we can work with you to see which classes you can take to stay on track.
I was accepted to the University of Maryland but my major is not Landscape Architecture. I would like to explore switching to LARC though. What should I do next?
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Please come see us so we can work with you on the possibility of declaring Landscape Architecture. Even if you had initially put Landscape Architecture as your intended major but were put in another major- come see us!
What is the importance of getting an accredited degree? Do I really need a license to practice?
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It means you’ll be out there designing sooner! Your undergraduate degree would be equivalent to a graduate professional degree in Landscape Architecture. Not all design programs are professional so in order to practice and be licensed you are required to attend a professional graduate degree program or work as an apprentice for many years- sometime up to 5+ years! Learn more on our Accreditation page!
I don't know how to draw. Can I still major in landscape architecture?
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Yes! We’ll teach you! Plus, we have a ton of computer design program at your disposal.
What are my housing options on campus?
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Please visit the Department of Resident Life site for more information. Graduate Students: Go to Our Housing > Specific Populations >Graduate Students.
International Students
Are there any TOEFL/IELTS requirements?
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Yes, please visit the English Language Proficiency tab under the Office of Undergraduate Admissions page.
Transfer Students
I am in another major on campus. Can I still declare Landscape Architecture?
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Yes! Please make an appointment to meet with us and we will be more than happy to go over with you our program, and what steps you need to take to declare our major. Even if you are not yet sure you want to declare our major, we are happy to meet with you and answer any questions you may have about our major!
How can I find out if courses at my local community college will transfer to UMD?
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Please visit our Transfer Students tab for links to helpful resources. There you will find links to resources that allow you to look up your school and see what courses are accepted to UMD.
